Success with Paid Review websites

jpowell79 · 09-29-2011, 05:07 AM

Guys has anyone had any success with any of the "paid only" review sites?

The main ones I can see are:

FreshApps
Iphone Toolbox
Daily App Show
Free App Report

The most expensive being FreshApps with a $100 fee to get a review.

Does anyone have any experience with any of these, and do they believe it represnted a good R.O.I ??

How much of an impact do you think it offered, both short-term and long-term?

miby · 09-29-2011, 08:13 AM

Some quick thoughts:

FreshApps (see bottom right of their page) has over 44k apps.

Daily App Show has 2k facebook likes (see bottom of their page).

Sooo ...

How long will your app be findable on these sites? How many people will actually see it while it is findable? How many of those who find it will want it right at that moment?

Just guessing, but I'll bet you'd get about 30 sales out of it. I think that means your app needs to be priced at $4.99 to break even.

I think the Doodle Jump Developers have it right:
Interview with Doodle Jump's Igor Pusenjak, part 1 | TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog

miby · 09-29-2011, 08:56 AM

You could do a lot more on the App Store. Here is your description with comments:

The addictive new game brought to you by Treat Yourself Apps [Since I do not know who Treat Yourself Apps is, this sentence has no real meaning and my mind already starts to drift. This is the sort of thing Disney can say, but not you. Just cut it and get to the point faster].

In "Panic at the Pump", you take on the role of an over-worked, under-paid gas station attendant, who has to deal with a constant stream of customers. You have to fill their tanks to the correct amount, wash their windscreens, pump their tires, and top up their oil levels.... all whilst the clock is running down and the next customer is waiting to be served! [Whilst? Really? You're trying to appeal to a mass audience with "whilst?" Just kidding, obviously. But you need to simplify this a lot.]

You need to be quick, accurate, and have the ability to multitask to work your way through 10 tough levels to succeed! [So there are only 10 levels? That's not a selling point. Update the App with new levels. Also, lots of people "multitask" all day at their jobs so the term does not trigger fun neurons in the brain.]

Thankyou for all the support you have given us for our first ever app!

"Fun wee game, easily addictive" - Frodohaybo [delete this review "wee" is bad]
"Great app, very addictive 5stars" -J3w3ll3r
"Brilliant game, gets really challenging and very addictive!" - AMLondon

"This game is a little gem.....really simple idea, but very addictive!" - chrismoyles, Appolicious [delete this review: little, simple are very bad]

[You need to get real reviews on the App Store. Incorporate a rating prompt or something into the app so users will rate it.]

#########################
Game Hint: - You will receive 20 bonus seconds on the clock, each time you land exactly on the customer request in a single attempt, on the fastest speed! [Delete this hint. It should be incorporated into the App. All it communicates here is that the user won't be able to figure the app out.]
#########################

For most hints on becoming a "Panic at the Pump" expert, visit the TreatYourselfApps.com blog [most hints? I don't understand that. Just say check out the blog]

jpowell79 · 09-29-2011, 09:10 AM

interesting comments milby, much appreciated....and I will certainly take on board a lot of what you've said there.

...athough I have to say, I have an iphone myself and have well over 100 apps on my phone......and have never once read through the entire description of any of them.

I read the first couple of lines to see if it does what I'm looking for (if it's not a game) ......or simply just skip straight to the customer reviews to see what other members of the public think of it.

If everyone is giving it a 1 star review I won't bother.....but if people are giving it a 4-5 star review I will most likely download it.

The point is.....I don't care what "sales pitch" the seller gives me.....in fact the more they try to "big-up" their app, the more likely it will mean that I will not read it, and just go straight to the reviews.

so I guess my question is.....why is this part so important? I like to think I am a "man of the people" :-) I like things that most people like, especially when it comes to music, tv, film, art, etc......so I'd like to think that my train of thought and "app purchasing" process is similar to a lot of other people.

that's why I find it difficult to believe people actually sit there reading the description, and that is what they base their decision to download their app on?

I have doodle jump....I also have tiny wings, angry birds, cut the rope, flight control, fruit ninja, plants vs zombies....etc, etc......but can assure you I did not read any of the "spiel" on their page.....just went to the review page and read what everyone else thought of the game.

.....anyway I'm digressing....I still believe your points are very valuable, and I will be making some adjustments based on your suggestions.....but like I sa, I can't see that this is the main reason people aren't finding my app amongst the millions of others!